Loyola Marymount University is moving forward with plans for new student dormitories at its campus on the Westchester Bluffs, according to an application submitted yesterday to the City of Los Angeles.

Later this year, LMU expects to begin construction on the project, which will consist of two four-story structures containing over 600 beds for freshmen and sophomore students.  The new construction will take the place of two existing dormitories - Huseman and Sullivan - located along the school's East Quad.

Demolition of the existing buildings will reportedly begin in May 2019, with the construction of their replacements to occur after LMU's 2019 commencement ceremonies.  Completion is expected in Fall 2020.

The new dorms are being designed by Steinberg Hart, with Bernards tapped to serve as the project's general contractor.

Construction is being financed through $90 million in "green bonds," which LMU sold last year through the California Educational Facilities Authority.

The Loyolan - LMU's school newspaper - has reported that that the new dorms are necessary to accommodate larger incoming classes - the school recently set a record with more than 18,000 freshman applicants.  The school has recently taken to renting units in the nearby Playa del Oro apartments to house upperclassmen.

LMU joins a number of local universities looking to meet increased demand for on-campus student housing, including UCLA, USC, and Cal State L.A.